Robinho is reportedly closing in on a move from AC Milan in Italy to his native Brazil, with Santos leading the race to sign the forward.

Among the first of the Abu Dhabi United Group’s big-money signings at Manchester City, Robinho looks set to bring the curtain down on his time in Europe, amid reports linking the 30-year-old with a return to Brazil.

Signed by the Citizens on the final day of the 2008 summer transfer window, the former Real Madrid attacker enjoyed a largely positive first campaign in the Premier League, scoring 14 goals in 31 top-flight games for the Sky Blues.

But things quickly turned sour during his second season at the club with a lack of form and poor attitude resulting in Robinho being shipped out to Santos on loan in January of 2010.

The Brazilian club were ultimately unable to sign the forward permanently, however, with Robinho instead moving to AC Milan later that year, where he has remained for the past four seasons.

But after failing to make the Selecao squad for the World Cup, it would now appear that the 30-year-old is willing to cut his losses and return to his homeland following two indifferent seasons in which he has managed just seven goals in 59 games for the Rossoneri.

Jack Beresford

Jack is a 27-year-old writer with experience in writing about sport in a range of guises. He’s something of a statto when it comes to soccer and has a passion for English football at all levels, as well as Serie A and the Bundesliga.